HSC's "Possibilities" celebrated at inaugural events
It’s official… On Oct. 19, Dr. Scott Ransom was inaugurated as the Health Science Center’s fifth president. The week of “World of Possibilities” events celebrating the inauguration – which included a talk on Alzheimer’s disease, the inaugural ceremony, an all-campus celebration, the DO Dash, and the black-tie gala – was a great success.

The week worth of inaugural events started with the Distinguished Speaker Series on Oct. 16. Dr. Steven T. DeKosky, professor and chair of the Department of Neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, discussed the history and advances in treating Alzheimer’s disease with a panel of Alzheimer’s experts including Health Science Center faculty members.

The inaugural ceremony at the Fort Worth Convention Center Ballroom was attended by Health Science Center administrators, faculty, staff, students, retirees, alumni, friends, and even one of its founders, Dr. Carl Everett. In his inaugural address, Dr. Ransom emphasized the Health Science Center’s possibilities for the future. A procession of students carrying flags from their countries of origin spiced up the regal ceremony, which debuted the new custom-designed Health Science Center medallion and mace.

After the ceremony, more than 800 UNT Health Science Center employees, students and their family members attended the “World of Pasta-bilities” Campus Celebration. Along with free food, drinks and live music, the event also raised money for the DO Dash. The silent auction raised $2,260 for the run! Dr. Lori Fischbach, assistant professor of epidemiology, was the lucky winner of the grand-prize drawing for a three-night stay for two at any Fairmont Resort Hotel in the world, courtesy of Travel Service Everywhere and airfare for two sponsored by Green Urban Development, Urban Race Street and Milagros Consulting.

And speaking of the DO Dash… it, too, was a huge success. Almost 400 people registered for the event, and 138 runners and walkers participated. Even after the race, organizers are still raising money for colon cancer screenings. A check will be presented to the beneficiary in the coming weeks.

The sold-out black-tie inaugural gala at the Worthington Hotel on Oct. 20 raised a gross total of $307,348 for the UNTHSC Fund for Excellence, which underwrites the enhancements of UNT Health Science Center programs in education, research, patient care and community service. Honorary chairs Edward P. Bass and Representative Kay Granger joined community and academic dignitaries including Dr. Gretchen Bataille, president of UNT in Denton, and UNT System Chancellor Lee Jackson for a formal dinner, followed by a toast to Dr. Ransom and his new “World of Possibilities.” Dancing to Buddy’s Big Band kept guests celebrating into the night.